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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Styron dates the onset of his deep depression to what event?
(a) The death of several of his friends.
(b) His inability to drink alcohol.
(c) His wife's leaving him.
(d) His chilren all leaving home.

2. What is a common occurrence in people planning suicide?
(a) A second self who observes the self planning its destruction.
(b) Sending all family away for a time.
(c) Detailed plans for their death.
(d) A revision of their will.

3. Styron compares the theories about depression to the theories about what?
(a) Creation.
(b) Evolution.
(c) Dinosaurs and Black Holes.
(d) The world is square/round debate.

4. What aspect of depression parallels the threshold of pain?
(a) Its unrelenting nature.
(b) Its pervasiveness.
(c) The inability of the depressed person to absorb pain beyond predictable periods of time.
(d) Its deep intensity.

5. According to Styron, what is the greatest fallacy about suicide?
(a) That people only have to "buck up."
(b) The idea that there is one particular cause.
(c) That all depressed people commit suicide.
(d) That suicide is a painless way to go.

Short Answer Questions

1. What did alcohol do for Styron that he considered positive?

2. At the dinner party, how does Styron react to the four friends?

3. What is Styron's reaction to being admitted to the hospital?

4. What does Styron say is absent in depression that causes it to be so difficult to endure?

5. Why does he throw his diary in the garbage instead of burning it?

(see the answer keys)

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